Description
The project envisages restoration of the Green Synagogue of Rezekne, the oldest wooden synagogue of the Baltic region. The Synagogue is situated in the historical centre of Rezekne. Beneficiaries of the project implementation are the receivers of cultural service – part of society which is interested in cultural heritage. The donor project partner is the Sam Eyde upper secondary school in Norway, which in the process of the project implementation visits Rezekne four times to assist in the restoration process. The project includes two project partners from Latvia - Rezekne Art and Design Secondary School and Austrumlatgale Vocational Secondary School from which the experts of the restoration field will be included. The partnerships bring new quality to the Green Synagogue of Rezekne through partners' exchange of know-how and experiences. This will considerably improve the image of the historical centre and may become a best practice example for restoration of other wooden buildings.
Summary of project results
The Green Synagogue of Rezekne is one of the oldest wooden synagogue of the Baltic region. The Synagogue is situated in the historical centre of Rezekne and building was in poor condition. The wooden house owners had insufficient knowledge on possibilities to restore the old wooden architectural elements, and they also lack motivation and understanding of the social prestige of the wooden architecture as a part of the unique Northern European cultural heritage.The project objective was conservation and preservation of the Green Synagogue of Rezekne and to develop wooden architecture centre and establish exposition of Jewish culture heritage. Project resulted by restored building of the Green Synagogue of Rezekne using traditional decoration elements and craftsmen skills. In restored building created wooden architecture centre and exposition of Jewish culture heritage is accessible to society and tourists.The largest aim of the project is that in the practical restoration process of the building participated students, teachers-experts from the donor project partner the Sam Eyde Upper Secondary School (Norway) and students and teachers-experts from Latvia - Rezekne Art and Design Secondary School and Austrumlatgale Vocational Secondary School.Trainings for the students were organized at the site. These trainings strengthened international information and experience exchange among craftsmen, students, teachers of vocational schools, restorers from Norway and Latvia - 72 students and 23 teachers participated at practical workshops and trainings.The Green Synagogue of Rezekne considerably improved the image of the historical centre and become a best practice example for restoration of other wooden buildings.Ensuring accessibility of the Green Synagogue as historical wooden culture heritage promoted increase of economic activities (establishing new catering enterprises in the city historic centre, facilitating sales of craftsmen products, increasing sales of local food products),creating new tourism products in Rezekne. By creating and made accessible for society exposition of Jewish culture heritage, the project has contributed to improving tolerance and cultural understanding.
Summary of bilateral results
Project helped to create new cooperation for vocational school students and teachers from Latvia and Norway. Project helped share good practice and to learn new technologies for restoration works. Practical workshops helped to develop mutual understanding and to create new potential partnership in future not only at vocational school level but also among the students and teachers. Collaboration among the partners helped to strengthened bilateral relations by trainings and workshops. Partnership helped to share best practice and knowledge of restoration works and helped to reach better result of the restoration of the Green Sinagogue of Rezekne. Project helped to establish partnership between the Rezekne municipality and municipalities from Norway which is resulted as Rezekne municipality projects financed by Bilateral Fund.